A
full year has passed since dear Jay left us, so suddenly,
so unexpectedly. On Saturday, May 9th, Mary
Ann and Jimmy held a one year memorial for Jeremiah. Family and friends attended
a mass at St. Joseph's Manor. Then we made a visit
to the cemetery followed by a brunch at MaryAnn and
Jimmy's home. So many of Jays friends attended
the memorial. I felt close to Jay when I spoke with
a few of them. I am so impressed by their love for
Jay. Jay had some very wonderful friends. The memorial opened up the
ache of missing him, but it was a beautiful day to
be with those who he loved and who loved him. It was beautiful.
Jay, you are forever in our hearts!
— Janet, Jay's aunt
1
Jeremiah Shannon was a friend I
made while attending the School of Visual Arts in
New York City. We shared a couple of classes together
and kept in touch for the years thereafter. Jeremiah
was a real character. I’ve never met anyone
like him, and I probably never will. In a big city
where everyone tries to be something they’re
not, Jeremiah was perfectly comfortable being himself.
I rarely saw him without one of his classic flannel
shirts or a smile on his face. He was truly one of
a kind.
This weekend, I got news that can
only be described as shocking. Jeremiah passed away
on Friday at the age of 30. I honestly can’t
believe it, and I think it’s going to be a long
while before I can finally accept it. Life can be
really unfair sometimes. There wasn’t a bad
bone in Jeremiah’s body.
In 2002, I completed a short animated
film called, "Lumberwacked." The title character
was loosely based on Jeremiah. "Lumberwack"
was a real nickname Jeremiah had, and it just seemed
like something that desperately belonged in a cartoon.
I remember showing Jeremiah some sketches and telling
him about a few wacky ideas I had (the film is pretty
random.) He joked that he had never been an animated
character before and seemed to get a big kick out
of the idea.
Jeremiah loved animation and had
a deep appreciation for all things silly. The thing
I will probably remember most about him was his larger-than-life
laugh. I'm happy to say that you'll get to hear it
in my film.
I’ve
lost one of the best friends that I could ever hope
to find. I had known Jay, off and on, for around 15
years, and my life is more meaningful because
of it.
Friends like Jay come along only once in a lifetime.
I’ll always remember him for his unique insight and
wonderful sense of humor. No matter what we would
do, just spending time with him would always make
my day more enjoyable.
Jay and I would often go to movies with his friend
Mike Wasik. Or we would meet up with my friends Stephan
Henrichson and Steve Henshaw to go out to dinner.
Or even just to shop for new DVDs we would spend
hours this way.
We would often go to karaoke bars,
sometimes with Karl Schipul. He became quite popular,
and the bar in Newtown where we would meet with regulars
such as Sean, Wally and Dave will never really be
the same ever again.
Jay could make even the simplest things more fun.
Some of my happiest memories involve nothing more
than staying up late, watching TV and DVDs at his
house.
Jay would understand me, even when nobody else ever
could. I’ll never forget the times that we spent together.
Even now, I’m still deeply saddened
and shocked by his passing. I will never understand
how someone so young and gifted could be taken from
us so suddenly. I extend my thoughts and prayers to
Jay’s family at this difficult time.
I
didn't know Jeremiah very well. But I liked him a
lot. Let me start by saying my heart and prayers go
out to his family. I remember meeting him as J.B.
at karaoke thru Diego (whom I didn't know very well
either). There was something about J.B. It went beyond
nice, cool, laid back, easy going. It was as if he
was around to help cheer you up. When it seemed like
you couldn't talk to anyone in the world, you could
always talk to J.B. It was just that easy. I don't
need to tell you how sad and shocked I am by his sudden
death. But I will tell you, much greater is my regret
for not knowing him better than I did, especially
after he moved to Fairfield. Practically down the
road from me. I do remember calling him several times
to hit some karaoke bars in town. But for some reason
it just never happened. I'll never forget how he brought
cheer and laughter to everyone when he sang "slow
motion for me". And I'm pretty sure my eyes will tear
whenever I'll hear "man on the moon". My friend, my
neighbor, and my karaoke buddy....miss you J.B. May
you rest in peace.
Jerry
& Julie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ed & Liz Audley, Winter
Haven, FL
Jay
was one of the most genuine, honest and unique people
I have ever met. He was extremely talented with his
visual art skills. We met at Western Connecticut State
University and stayed in touch for years. I am extremely
saddend by the news of his passing. I just wish I
knew him better...
The world has lost a spark that Jay always carried
with him. I'll always remember his humor, wit and
insight, but most of all his friendship.
My most sincere condolences to everyone who knew him
and loved him.
Maryann,
Jimmy and Heather, Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Jay was a special person. Jay and the family will
be in our prayers.
Louise, Bob and family Davis,
Watertown, CT
Our
condolences for your family on your loss.
Steve & Penha Roth,
Ridgewood, NJ
Jeremiah
was one of the most sincere, gentle, and kind individuals
I have met. It was my great honor to have known him
Liane Pioli, Fairfiled,
CT
I
have known Jay (Jeremiah) since we shared an art class
together with Mrs. Suzanne Monaco in Junior year of
Trumbull High School. He said some amusing things
to me and another guy in the class, Steve Jonas. I
honestly did not know what to make of him then.
Later, while I went to Pratt Institute in New York
City, I saw him walking in the opposite direction
while in Manhattan. I asked him what he was up to
there. He told me that he was a student over at the
School of Visual Arts (SVA), quite a significant art
and design school, even in the city, much like Pratt
(but quite different from Pratt). He told me his major
was animation. It then dawned on me that he possessed
actual artistic talent. He wasn't just taking art
classes in high school just to fill some elective
requirement. He went with a purpose.
Now and then, we would randomly bump in to each other,
purely by coincidence, as I frequently liked to jog
through Manhattan, or I would be shopping for painting/photography
supplies. One day, Steve Henshaw and Tom Casciato
came down to the city to do a bunch of things with
me. We managed to run in to Jeremiah and caught up
on things. I knew Steve and Tom as friends, but I
did not know that they knew Jay. Seems like they were
actually quite well acquainted.
Sometime after graduation, I had run into Steve, Tom
and also Jay again. Jay was able to get himself an
internship in media and computer graphics, which was
well beyond what I was doing at the time. I was looking
for someone to collaborate with for various projects,
as well as knowledge of programs. We were both busy
and were only able to meet occasionally. Now and then,
Steve, Tom, Jay and myself would hang out at a variety
of places. We both developed a love of karaoke. It
seems as though Jeremiah had developed himself quite
a following... going by the name of 'J.B.', whenever
it was his turn at the MIC. If I was not mistaken,
I could have sworn that I saw people cheer for him.
It was fun to watch him perform.
